Winter driving tips

Increase your following distance

• Wet or icy roads can pose a serious hazard in winter.

• Leaving more space between your vehicle and the car in front of you and accelerating/decelerating more slowly can help prevent collisions.

Never rely fully on driver assistance technologies

• Driver assistance technologies contribute to safer roads overall, but adverse weather can go undetected by these types of systems.

• It’s up to you to keep your eye out for black ice, and use your windshield wipers during a storm.

Turn your headlights on

• Winter comes with more darkness during morning and evening hours.

• Make sure your headlights are on even during the day to increase visibility of your vehicle for other drivers.

Expect delays

• In rain or snow, expect travel times to be extended.

• It can help to leave earlier than you normally would and pause your journey if a storm hits.

Remove ice and snow from your vehicle

• If you’re travelling in alpine regions, stay up to date on the weather forecast.

• Before you leave, check your car, and remove any ice and snow from your vehicle to avoid causing road hazards for other drivers.

Electric Vehicle (EV) specific tips

• Many EVs have an eco-mode that optimises energy use for better range in winter.

• Battery range can be reduced due to the need to heat your car, so plan your route with charging stations in mind.

• Use preconditioning to heat the cabin of your vehicle while still plugged in.

• Park your EV in a garage to keep the battery warmer, which helps to maintain range.

Maintain your regular service schedule

• Fleet vehicle drivers should always ensure routine maintenance is completed.

• If you have any concerns regarding the drivability of your vehicle, book it into a dealership or service centre to be inspected.

• On the road, you can always contact Custom Fleet’s roadside assistance for support on 1300 139 555.

Downloads

You can download our Winter driving tips in PDF form.